Updated July 2024
Gokhan Yilmaz became the seventh head coach of the women's volleyball program at Florida A&M University in August 2018.
While the Rattlers fell short of capturing the 2023 SWAC title, they did advance to the championship match for the third straight season. Under Yilmaz's direction, FAMU ended the regular season with a six-match winning streak, the first five victories all being dominant 3-0 decisions. Five Rattlers also earned spots on an All-SWAC team. Brooke Hudson, FAMU’s all-time single-season leader in digs, was named Libero of the Year and joined Brooke Lynn Watts and Camila De La Rosa as All-SWAC First Team selections. Iyonnie Sanford and Isis Williams also earned well-deserved spots on the All-SWAC Second Team.
In 2022, Yilmaz guided the Rattlers to their second consecutive SWAC Championship by sweeping the field (3-0 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 3-0 vs. Bethune-Cookman, 3-0 vs. Alabama State) in the SWAC Tournament. The Rattlers went on to crown the season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they faced the University of Florida for the second consecutive season. Under Yilmaz's guidance, several flourished: Dominique Washington earned her second straight SWAC Player of the Year award, All-SWAC First Team honors, and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. Irem Ucar secured her second straight SWAC Setter of the Year title and All-SWAC First Team honors. Recruits Brooke Hudson (SWAC Libero of the Year, All-SWAC First Team), Brooke Lynn Watts (SWAC Newcomer of the Year, All-SWAC First Team), and Aja Jones (All-SWAC Second Team) also performed exceptionally well. The Rattlers finished the season 21-13 – marking their second consecutive 20+ win season – with a 15-1 record in conference play and a share of the SWAC Regular Season Championship. They started SWAC play 14-0 and extended their SWAC winning streak to 26 consecutive wins, continuing from the final 12 SWAC contests in 2021. Yilmaz also earned his second straight SWAC Coach of the Year award.
In 2021, Yilmaz led the Rattlers to the athletics department's first SWAC Championship in their inaugural year in the conference. During the SWAC Tournament, the team swept Prairie View A&M in the first round, defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-2 in the second round, and triumphed over Jackson State 3-2 in the championship match. The Rattlers then traveled to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Yilmaz's recruiting efforts brought in Dominique Washington (SWAC Player of the Year, SWAC Newcomer of the Year, All-SWAC First Team, AVCA All-American Honorable Mention), Irem Ucar (SWAC Setter of the Year, All-SWAC First Team), Jessa Long (SWAC Libero of the Year, All-SWAC First Team), and Jasmine Robinson (All-SWAC Second Team). The Rattlers concluded the season with a 25-7 record, their first 20+ win season since 2006. Yilmaz earned his first SWAC Coach of the Year award during the 2021 season.
Yilmaz, who previously served the 2016 and 2017 seasons as associate head coach at FAMU, has fashioned an impressive resume replete with volleyball playing, teaching, and coaching experiences from overseas and in the United States.
A native of Istabul, Turkey, Yilmaz has compiled a 284-137 career record as a collegiate coach, good for an excellent .680 winning percentage, utilizing his skills as a teacher/trainer in volleyball, as well as using his wealth of contacts in the international volleyball community in recruiting.
Yilmaz served one season (2014-15) as head coach at UNC Charlotte, leading the 49ers to 17 wins, the most in eight years, while leading the team to its first conference tournament appearance in five years – a team built around nine recruits he signed for that first season.
Before that, he spent seven seasons as associate head coach, training coordinator, and main recruiter for nearby Florida State University (2008-14),
While at Florida State, Yilmaz landed the nation's No. 3 recruiting class in 2012, helping the Seminoles to a sizzling 154-41 record, featuring five NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), highlighted by a 2011 Final Four berth, a 2009 Elite Eight spot and a 2013 Sweet Sixteen berth.
Yilmaz's collegiate resume also includes stints as an Assistant Coach at the University of Arkansas (Spring 2005, 2007-08); Northwood University (2005-07 – 2005 regional semifinalist), Cameron University (2003-05 – two-time conference finalist), and Western New Mexico University (2002-03).
He began his coaching career in his native Turkey as a club coach (Eczacibasi Sports Club) in 1995-96 before working the next six years coaching club, high school, and middle school teams, most of which achieved national, regional, and city honors.
In his six seasons before starting his collegiate career, Yilmaz led his charges to two national championships and four other finals appearances. All of his teams earned berths in the Turkish National Tournament.
Yilmaz earned a bachelor's degree in Eastern European studies from Istanbul University (2002) and a master's degree in sports psychology from Cameron University (2005).
Additionally, he has attended numerous volleyball seminars covering lifting (strength and conditioning) in volleyball, nutrition, kinesiology, and skill perfection training.
His playing career in the sport was rather extensive, as he played for his high school team from 1989-95 while also playing for two sports clubs: Eczacibasi SC (1991-95) and Besiktas SC (1994-95).
Head Coaching History
| Year |
Team |
Record (Conference) |
Conference Results |
Postseason Results |
| 2023 |
FAMU |
18-14 (12-4) |
3rd in SWAC |
Advanced to SWAC championship game for third straight season |
| 2022^ |
FAMU |
21-13 (15-1) |
T-1st in SWAC* |
SWAC Champions and NCAA Tournament First Round |
| 2021^ |
FAMU |
25-7 (14-2) |
2nd in SWAC |
SWAC Champions and NCAA Tournament First Round |
| 2020% |
FAMU |
0-0 |
|
|
| 2019 |
FAMU |
10-20 (7-7) |
3rd in MEAC Southern Division |
Ineligible to participate |
| 2018 |
FAMU |
11-17 (9-1) |
1st in MEAC Southern Division |
MEAC Semifinals |
| 2014 |
Charlotte |
17-17 (6-10) |
8th in C-USA |
C-USA Quarterfinals |
* Co-Regular Season SWAC Champions
^ Won SWAC Coach of the Year
% Season cancelled due to COVID-19
